Live music is set to return to a popular riverside pub’s garden where the landlord says a noise row cost him £20,000 in lost income.

Proposals for a three-sided enclosed wooden stage in the garden of the Grove Ferry Inn in Upstreet have been designed to deflect the sound away from neighbours.

An application for the structure by Shepherd Neame, which owns the pub, has now been approved by Canterbury City Council’s planning department.

The decision has come as a huge relief to landlord John Hinsley who was forced to cancel the popular gigs after one neighbour, living 400 yards away, raised a grievance with Canterbury City Council last September.

But Mr Hinsley reckons the cancellation of live music has cost him up to £20,000 in lost revenue, while a solution has been sought.

Now a report by acoustic experts predicts the design and positioning of the proposed stage will result in halving noise levels.

Mr Hinsley, who has run the pub for more than four years, says musicians returning is vital to the pub, which attracts thousands of customers in the warmer months to events on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

“People love it, which is why we have more than 120 tables outside and a capacity of 500 people, making us one of Kent’s biggest pub gardens,” he said.

“We have been holding some gigs in a marquee but are absolutely thrilled the stage has been approved because it will make a huge difference.

“It’s just a case of getting it built as soon as possible which I will be discussing with Sheps so we can take advantage of the rest of the summer.

“And, perhaps, we will also be able to hold an outdoor Christmas market with music.”

The application attracted 72 comments from residents and the public - with some 12 objecting to the scheme.

Concerns raised included the impact of noise and frequency on neighbours and wildlife on the riverbank and the nearby Stodmarsh and harm to the tranquility of the countryside around the pub.

Others also said music should be kept indoors due to more regular outdoor gigs.

‘We are absolutely thrilled the stage has been approved because it will make a huge difference…’

But the 59 supporters of the project said it would be a community benefit and are held during “reasonable hours and only when weather permits”.

They also countered opponents’ fears over parking on nearby roads suggesting this already happens due to the popular riverside walks, watersport activities and boat moorings near the pub.

Shepherd Neame says it engaged with the council’s environmental health team to find a long-term solution to music returning without impacting neighbours.

The brewery’s director of tenanted operations, Greg Wallis, said: “The Grove Ferry Inn is a historic, family-friendly pub which in addition to serving food and drinks is also an established live music venue in its large riverside garden through the summer months.

“Last summer a complaint was made to Canterbury City Council by a local resident regarding noise levels at the pub.

“While enforcement action was not taken by the council, the pub wished to formalise its live music arrangement and minimise any future risk of disturbance.

“Following detailed noise surveys, Shepherd Neame submitted a planning application for the installation of an enclosed panelled stage within the garden.

“We are pleased this application has been approved, and our contractors will begin work to install the stage as soon as possible.”